Cover cap for collapsible packages



Jan. 7, 1930. N. LITTELL COVER CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE PACKAGES Filed Sept. 5, 1929 Patented Jan. 7, 1930 NELSON LITTELL, OF NEW CANMN, CONNECTICUT COVER CAP FOB COLLAPSBLE PACKAGES Application fled September 5, 1029. Serial in. 890,481.

This invention relates to a dispensing top for flexible containers such as are used for the packing of cereal foods, spices, coffee, tea, tobacco, cigarettes, and the like.

It is the object of the invention to provide a metal top which can be applied to a package containing cereal foods, spices, bulk to- .bacco, cigarettes, or the like and which may be used to hold the package in shape and prevent collapse thereof during the dispensing of its contents, to ermit the same to be easily dispensed there om and which can be removed and installed on a new package when the original package has been emptied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described formed of one piece of metal which is simple to manufacture, easy to install, and which facilitates the removal of the contents of the package.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an article of the type described which will tend to hold the package to its normal shape and prevent collapsing of the same as the contents are removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a removable cover of the type described having an opening therein which is closed by a door or cover whereby the contents re- 0 maining in the ackage may be protected during the remove thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a top cover of the type described in which the door swin s laterally in substantially the plane of t e top cover to permit the top to be tapped upon other objects to cause the contents to removed without interference of the door.

Various other objects of the invention will appear as this description proceeds.

Referring to drawings, which indicate a preferred form of embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the removable cover cap applied specifically to a package of cigarettes.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cover shown in Fig. 1. ig. 3 is a side view of the cover shown in Fig. 2.

'al consistmg of a top portion Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form of embodiment of the cover cap. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a similar cover havmg a hinged closure for the opening thereof.

Fig. 7 is a part sectional side view substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the hinged closure of Fig. 6. a

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the closure catch.

In the form of embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention the cover cap comprises preferabl a one-piece stamping of sheet met- 3, downwardly projecting wmg ortions 4, a turned flange 5 on the top 3, an an opening6 therein thru which the contents of the package may be removed. If desired, the wing 4 opposite the opening 6 may be rovided with a. perforation 4 through. w ich the contents of the package may be pushed toward the openmg 6. The cover 1s adapted to cooperate with the container 1 which may contain various materials such as cereals, 'cofiee, tea, spices, cigarettes, or loose tobacco, as has been shown in the embodiment at 2. The wings 4 of the cover 3 are adapted to fit between the inner and outer walls of the package 1 and to be preferabl of approximately the length and width of t e narrowest side or end walls of the package so that when a portion of the top of the package 1 has been removed under the opening 6 and the wings 4 inserted between the inner and outer walls'of the package the wings have the tendenc to hold the package in its original rectangu ar shape and prevent collapsing of the side walls thereof as the contents are removed. The cover cap 3 is of such size and shape as to conform to the top of the package 1 and the opening 6 therein may be varied in size so as to permit removal 0 the contents either by pouring the same thru the opening in case of loose materials such as cereals, cofiee, or tobacco, or to permit the same to be removed by the fingers as in the case of cigarettes, or by tappm the container on a suitable object which wilf cause the cigarettes to come out thru the opening 6 3 the wings 4, and the flan e 5 are The cap iece 0 metal preferably iormed from one by a suita le stamping and ben in operation so as to reduce the cost thereof, an the opening 6 ma be formed by merely cutting away a. suitab e portion of the cap 3 leaving a metal wall entirel around the opening. If desired, additional reenforcing wings 5' may be provided on the parts 4 to maintain the container in its rectangular position.

In the form of embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the cover shown in Figs. 1 to as been provided with a door or closure 7 suitably shaped to close the opening 6. The door 7 is provided with a down-turned flange 7 going round the edge of the cap 3 and with a rearwardly projecting. ear 7 which is pivoted on the stud 9 on the cover cap 3 and is extended be 0nd the pivot to form a. spring catch 11 which passes through an opening 5" in the edge of the cover 3, and is folded over at 11" to hold the cover in closed position. The cover 7 is urged to its open position by a coil spring 10 wound around the stud 9 so that when the catch 11 is pushed past the opening 5 of the cover 3 to release the same the lid or door 7 will automatically swing open around the stud 9 under the pressure of the spring 10 to expose the inside of the package 1, and permit removal part or all of its contents. closed by swinging the same around the stud 9 till the catch 11 snapsinto re-engagement with the edge of the cap 3.

Various modifications and changes may be resorted to from the embodiments of the When desired, the door 7 may be inner and outer walls of the flexible container, said to portion having an openin there in through which the contents of t e container may be dispensed, a depending rim on said cover cap forming a s ace between the said cover cap and the top of said package, a hinged door swingin in the lateral plane of said top to open and close said opening, a sprin catch of one piece construction with said oor, and releasable means on said top cooperating with said catch to hold the door in closed position.

3. A cover cap for collapsible dispensing containers comprising a single piece of metal forming a to and side wing portions adapted to fit over t e top and extend between the inner and outer walls of a flexible container, said to portion having an opening therein throug which the contents of the container may be dis ensed, a depending rim on said cover cap orming a space between the said cover cap and the top of said package, a hinged door swinging in the lateral plane of sai top to open and close said opening, a spring catch of one piece constructionwith said door, means on said rim cooperatin with said catch to hold the doorin close position, and spring means'to move the door to open position when the catch is released.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature to this specification.

' NELSON LITTELL.

present application without departing from v the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A ci arette package attachment comprising a 113 cover cap extending over the top of the cigarette package and of substantially the same size thereof, legs extending downwardly from each end of said cover cap for insertion within the cigarette package to hold said package in shape while its contents are being removed, said cover ca having an openmg therein, and a normal y closed pivoted door for said opening lying substan tially in the plane of said cover cap to thereby form a substantially smooth top, a depending rim on said cover capforming a space between the cover cap and the top of said cigarette package, means insaid space to pivot said door, releasable means to hold said door closed position, and means in said space normally urging said door into open position.

2. A cover cap for collapsible dispensing containers comprising a single piece of metal forming a top and side wing portions adapted to fit overthe top and extend between the 

